Hello! I’m Darel, a creative operator with 5+ years of experience growing and leading teams, designing systems, and creating culturally resonant works. I'm skilled at scaling marketing operations, optimizing workflows, and driving measurable growth in fast-paced startup environments.For five years, I served as the Founder & CEO of Earth in Color, a media company and food club connecting Blackness and Greenness. After sunsetting Earth in Color, I started Hott Studio, a brand and marketing agency for early-stage ventures.Although I’ve worn many hats as a solo founder— from CEO and creative director to editor-in-chief and project manager—I thrive deep in the weeds of brand marketing and operations, establishing processes and systems that help teams navigate the chaos and ambiguity of the creative process.